2024 Northern Beaches Instrumental Festival
The aim of the Festival is to provide a formal, non-competitive performance opportunity for ensembles that is a positive and encouraging experience.
The Festival is held in June, towards the end of Term 2 at Pittwater High School, with the Stage Band Festival at Harbord Public School. The entire festival is co-hosted by the Northern Beaches Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Northern Beaches Orchestra, the Northern Beaches Symphonic Youth Band, and the Northern Beaches Concert Band, and all proceeds from the festival go back into community music.
Performances are held in small blocks of ensembles so that the students will have the opportunity to listen to other groups. Students remain in the hall with their ensemble for all the performances in their time allocation. (This will be approximately 1-1.6 hours in total). This gives every ensemble performing a large and interested audience.
Schools entering more than one ensemble will have each one programmed in a separate block. The intention is for students and their families to have the opportunity to listen to groups from other schools. Within each block we will also vary the nominated levels of the ensembles to avoid direct comparisons. While professional feedback is provided this is not a competition but a festival celebrating our music making on the Northern Beaches and beyond.
Each ensemble will perform 3 pieces at an appropriate grade. Their performance will be recorded for their future use and a short workshop by an experienced appraiser will be held on stage at the conclusion of their performance. The appraiser also makes comment on the recording.
Availability of tickets.
Non performing audience members can purchase tickets at the door for $10 per adult, $5.00 concession or $20.00 per family. These tickets are valid for the entire festival and entitle the holder to entry to the Gala Concert. Tickets are not available for pre-purchase.
A portion of the ticket sales will be going to the support of the Northern Beaches Performance Venue Public Fund.
Application form
Applications for the 2024 Northern Beaches Instrumental Festival are now closed. If you have any questions regarding your applications, please contact the Secretary.
List of participants (as at 28 May 2024)
Strings
Community Ensembles
- Northern Beaches Orchestra (Dr Martin Hardy)
01 Jun 2024 Session 6 Gala Concert 7:00-8:30pm - Northern Beaches Youth Orchestra (Bec Hildebrandt)
01 Jun 2024 Session 6 Gala Concert 7:00-8:30pm
High School Ensembles
- Cammeraygal High School String Orchestra (Sarah Qiu)
01 Jun 2024 Session 5 5:00-6:30pm - German International School Sydney Senior String Ensemble (Janine Boubbov)
01 Jun 2024 Session 2 11:00am-12:30pm - Killara High School Junior Strings (Gabby Jung)
01 Jun 2024 Session 1 9:30-10:30am - Killarney Heights High School Chamber Orchestra (Rowena Macneish)
01 Jun 2024 Session 2 11:00am-12:30pm - Northern Beaches Secondary College Cromer Campus String Ensemble (Tammi Rolet)
15 Jun 2024 Session 1 second venue 1:00-2:00pm - Pittwater High School Orchestra (Martin Hardy)
01 Jun 2024 Session 6 Gala Concert 7:00-8:30pm - Pittwater High school Senior String Ensemble (Karen Leimbach)
01 Jun 2024 Session 4 3:00-4:30pm - Pittwater High School String Orchestra (Karen Leimbach)
01 Jun 2024 Session 5 5:00-6:30pm - St Luke's Grammar School Orchestra and String Ensemble (Stephen Buchanan)
01 Jun 2024 Session 6 Gala Concert 7:00-8:30pm - St Luke's Grammar School Senior String Ensemble (Stephen Buchanan)
01 Jun 2024 Session 5 5:00-6:30pm - The Pittwater House Schools Orchestra (Jim Abraham)
01 Jun 2024 Session 2 11:00am-12:30pm
Primary School Ensembles
- Beecroft Public School Intermediate Strings Ensemble (Lorraine Chai)
15 Jun 2024 Session 2 second venue 2:30-3:30pm - Beecroft Public School String Ensemble (Katrina Papallo)
01 Jun 2024 Session 3 1:00-2:30pm - Beecroft Public School Training Strings Ensemble (Katrina Papallo)
01 Jun 2024 Session 2 11:00am-12:30pm - Dee Why Public School Mezzo Strings (Yenny Johnson)
01 Jun 2024 Session 2 11:00am-12:30pm - Dee Why Public School Poco Strings (Robyn Phelan)
01 Jun 2024 Session 4 3:00-4:30pm - Dee Why Public School String Orchestra (Yenny Johnson)
01 Jun 2024 Session 3 1:00-2:30pm - Elanora Heights Public School Junior Strings (Fiona Brock)
15 Jun 2024 Session 1 second venue 1:00-2:00pm - Elanora Heights Public School Senior Strings (Fiona Brock)
15 Jun 2024 Session 2 second venue 2:30-3:30pm - Forestville Public School Junior Strings with Killarney Public School Intermediate Strings (Pip Birkett)
01 Jun 2024 Session 3 1:00-2:30pm - Forestville Public School Senior Strings with Killarney Public School Senior Strings (Rowena Macneish)
01 Jun 2024 Session 1 9:30-10:30am - German International School Sydney Junior String Ensemble (Janine Boubbov)
01 Jun 2024 Session 1 9:30-10:30am - John Colet Ensemble (Glen Miller)
01 Jun 2024 Session 1 9:30-10:30am - Killarney Heights Public School Beginner Strings (Chris Carey)
01 Jun 2024 Session 1 9:30-10:30am - Middle Harbour Public School Paganini Ensemble (Will Hansen)
01 Jun 2024 Session 4 3:00-4:30pm - Middle Harbour Public School Stradivarius Ensemble (Miranda Ilchef)
01 Jun 2024 Session 5 5:00-6:30pm - Mona Vale Public School Senior Strings (Emma Wake)
01 Jun 2024 Session 5 5:00-6:30pm - Newport Public School String Orchestra (Karen Leimbach)
01 Jun 2024 Session 2 11:00am-12:30pm - Newport Public School Violin First Year Group V1 (Anne Holdik)
15 Jun 2024 Session 2 second venue 2:30-3:30pm - Newport Public School Year 2 Violin Group (Judy Long)
15 Jun 2024 Session 1 second venue 1:00-2:00pm - St Ives North Public School Elementary Strings (Katrina Papallo)
01 Jun 2024 Session 3 1:00-2:30pm - St Ives North Public School Intermediate Strings (Katrina Papallo)
01 Jun 2024 Session 4 3:00-4:30pm - St Ives North Public School Junior Strings (Adrian Mansukhani)
01 Jun 2024 Session 4 3:00-4:30pm - St Ives North Public School String Orchestra (Adrian Mansukhani)
01 Jun 2024 Session 3 1:00-2:30pm - St Luke's Grammar School Junior Strings (Lisa Buchanan)
15 Jun 2024 Session 2 second venue 2:30-3:30pm - St Luke's Grammar School Year 3 Strings (Stephen Buchanan)
15 Jun 2024 Session 1 second venue 1:00-2:00pm
Concert Bands
Community Ensembles
- North Shore Community Band (Sarah Shaw)
30 May 2024 Session 2 7:10-8:50pm - Northern Beaches Concert Band (Sarah Shaw)
02 Jun 2024 Session 5 Gala Concert 6:00-7:40pm - Northern Beaches Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Dr Martin Hardy)
02 Jun 2024 Session 5 Gala Concert 6:00-7:40pm - Northern Beaches Symphonic Youth Band (Jennifer Power)
02 Jun 2024 Session 5 Gala Concert 6:00-7:40pm - Sydney North Public Schools Band Program Concert Band (Lemin Luu)
27 May 2024 Session 2 7:10-8:50pm - Sydney North Public Schools Band Program Symphonic Band (Lemin Luu)
02 Jun 2024 Session 5 Gala Concert 6:00-7:40pm
High School Ensembles
- Barrenjoey High School Concert Band (Charles Wilkinson)
28 May 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:40pm - Cammeraygal High School Concert Band (Jennifer Power)
02 Jun 2024 Session 4 4:00-5:40pm - Cammeraygal High School Wind Band (Alex Lang)
05 Jun 2024 Session 1 5:00-7:00pm - Hornsby Girls High School Minerva Orchestra (Nadia McCarthy)
02 Jun 2024 Session 3 1:40-3:20pm - Killarney Heights High School Concert Band (Derek Barg)
01 Jun 2024 Session 4 second venue 4:00-5:40pm - Mater Maria Catholic College Concert Band (Klara Hollestelle-Watson)
31 May 2024 Session 2 7:10-8:50pm - Narrabeen Sports High School Concert Band (Julie Olzomer)
27 May 2024 Session 2 7:10-8:50pm - Northern Beaches Secondary College Cromer Campus Concert Band (Marc Rolet)
02 Jun 2024 Session 2 11:20am-1:00pm - Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus Concert Band (Vanessa Patterson)
02 Jun 2024 Session 3 1:40-3:20pm - Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Vanessa Patterson)
02 Jun 2024 Session 4 4:00-5:40pm - Pittwater High School Concert Band (Jess Yendell)
05 Jun 2024 Session 1 5:00-7:00pm - Pittwater High School Symphonic Band (Martin Hardy)
30 May 2024 Session 2 7:10-8:50pm - St Ives High School Concert Band 1 (Sally Cooper)
03 Jun 2024 Session 2 7:10-8:50pm - St Ives High School Concert Band 2 (Kristen Welling)
27 May 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:40pm - St Luke's Grammar School Concert Band (Stephen Buchanan)
28 May 2024 Session 2 7:10-8:50pm - St Luke's Grammar School Concert Band (Lyndal Perry)
30 May 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:55pm - The Forest High School Symphonic Wind Ensemble (Lemin Luu)
28 May 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:40pm - The Pittwater House Schools Senior Concert Band (David Cosentino)
28 May 2024 Session 2 7:10-8:50pm
Primary School Ensembles
- Allambie Heights Public School Concert Band (Surrey Hodges)
03 Jun 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:40pm - Allambie Heights Public School Performance Band (Surrey Hodges)
03 Jun 2024 Session 2 7:10-8:50pm - Allambie Heights Public School Training Band (Surrey Hodges)
27 May 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:40pm - Avalon Public School Concert Band (Charles Wilkinson)
27 May 2024 Session 2 7:10-8:50pm - Avalon Public School Performance Band (Charles Wilkinson)
27 May 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:40pm - Avalon Public School Training Band (Charles Wilkinson)
29 May 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:40pm - Beacon Hill Public School Concert Band (Phillip Keyzer)
03 Jun 2024 Session 2 7:10-8:50pm - Beacon Hill Public School Intermediate Band (Phillip Keyzer)
03 Jun 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:40pm - Belrose Public School Performance Band (Katie Anderson)
31 May 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:55pm - Belrose Public School Training Band (Katie Anderson)
31 May 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:55pm - Bilgola Plateau Public School Junior Band (Colden Anderson)
30 May 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:55pm - Bilgola Plateau Public School Senior Band (Colden Anderson)
31 May 2024 Session 2 7:10-8:50pm - Brookvale Public School Concert Band (Raylie-Anne Baldock)
02 Jun 2024 Session 2 11:20am-1:00pm - Brookvale Public School Training Band (Raylie-Anne Baldock)
02 Jun 2024 Session 1 9:00-10:40am - Collaroy Plateau Public School Concert Band (Maia Hopf)
01 Jun 2024 Session 4 second venue 4:00-5:40pm - Collaroy Plateau Public School Performance Band (James Power)
01 Jun 2024 Session 3 second venue 1:40-3:20pm - Collaroy Plateau Public School Training Band (James Power)
01 Jun 2024 Session 4 second venue 4:00-5:40pm - Cromer Public School Intermediate band (Matthew O'Brien & Liam Thomas)
01 Jun 2024 Session 5 second venue 6:20-8:00pm - Cromer Public School Senior band (Matthew O'Brien)
02 Jun 2024 Session 1 9:00-10:40am - Cromer Public School Training band (Matthew O'Brien & Liam Thomas)
01 Jun 2024 Session 1 second venue 9:00-10:40am - Curl Curl North Public School Intermediate Band (Surrey Hodges)
04 Jun 2024 Session 2 7:10-8:50pm - Curl Curl North Public School Senior band (Matthew O'Brien)
01 Jun 2024 Session 5 second venue 6:20-8:00pm - Curl Curl North Public School Training Band (Surrey Hodges)
04 Jun 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:40pm - Dee Why Public School Concert Band (Sasha Shargh)
02 Jun 2024 Session 2 11:20am-1:00pm - Dee Why Public School Training Band (Sasha Shargh)
02 Jun 2024 Session 3 1:40-3:20pm - Elanora Heights Public School Concert Band (Tim Doubinski)
01 Jun 2024 Session 1 second venue 9:00-10:40am - Forestville Public School Concert Band (Derek Barg)
01 Jun 2024 Session 3 second venue 1:40-3:20pm - Forestville Public School Intermediate Band (Kirrily Swatton)
30 May 2024 Session 2 7:10-8:50pm - Forestville Public School Training Band (Kirrily Swatton)
30 May 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:55pm - Frenchs Forest Public School Concert Band (Peter Squire)
04 Jun 2024 Session 2 7:10-8:50pm - Frenchs Forest Public School Training Band (Peter Squire)
04 Jun 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:40pm - Harbord Public School Concert Band (Mark Strykowski)
03 Jun 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:40pm - Harbord Public School Intermediate Band (Mark Strykowski)
03 Jun 2024 Session 2 7:10-8:50pm - Harbord Public School Junior Band (Mark Strykowski)
29 May 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:40pm - Harbord Public School Senior Band (Mark Strykowski)
29 May 2024 Session 2 7:10-8:50pm - Killarney Heights Public School Performance Band (Derek Barg)
01 Jun 2024 Session 2 second venue 11:20am-1:00pm - Killarney Heights Public School Senior Concert Band (Derek Barg)
01 Jun 2024 Session 2 second venue 11:20am-1:00pm - Killarney Heights Public School Training Band (Maddy Shearer)
04 Jun 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:40pm - Manly Vale Public School Intermediate Band (Ben Dickson)
05 Jun 2024 Session 1 5:00-7:00pm - Manly Vale Public School Junior Band (Surrey Hodges)
29 May 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:40pm - Manly Vale Public School Senior Band (Ben Dickson)
05 Jun 2024 Session 1 5:00-7:00pm - Manly Village Public School Intermediate Band (Sasha Shargh)
02 Jun 2024 Session 1 9:00-10:40am - Manly Village Public School Senior Band (Sasha Shargh)
02 Jun 2024 Session 4 4:00-5:40pm - Manly Village Public School Training Band (Sasha Shargh)
02 Jun 2024 Session 2 11:20am-1:00pm - Manly West Public School Concert Band (Penelope Coucill)
30 May 2024 Session 2 7:10-8:50pm - Manly West Public School Intermediate Band (Penelope Coucill)
31 May 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:55pm - Manly West Public School Performance Band (Penelope Coucill)
31 May 2024 Session 2 7:10-8:50pm - Manly West Public School Training Band (Penelope Coucill)
30 May 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:55pm - Mona Vale Public School Concert Band (Jacqui Shaw)
29 May 2024 Session 2 7:10-8:50pm - Mona Vale Public School Training Band (Jacqui Shaw)
31 May 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:55pm - Narrabeen Lakes Public School Intermediate Band (Jennifer Power)
31 May 2024 Session 2 7:10-8:50pm - Narrabeen Lakes Public School Senior Band (Jennifer Power)
28 May 2024 Session 2 7:10-8:50pm - Narrabeen Lakes Public School Training Band (Jennifer Power)
28 May 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:40pm - Narrabeen North Public School Concert Band (Janella Fyfe)
01 Jun 2024 Session 4 second venue 4:00-5:40pm - Narrabeen North Public School Performance Band (Janella Fyfe)
01 Jun 2024 Session 5 second venue 6:20-8:00pm - Narrabeen North Public School Training band (Janella Fyfe)
01 Jun 2024 Session 4 second venue 4:00-5:40pm - Newport Public School Performance Band (Tom Dayer)
04 Jun 2024 Session 2 7:10-8:50pm - Northern Beaches Christian School Primary Concert Band (Dani Cosford)
03 Jun 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:40pm - Our Lady of Good counsel Primary School Performance Band (Janella Fyfe)
01 Jun 2024 Session 3 second venue 1:40-3:20pm - Our Lady of Good Counsel Primary School Training Band (Janella Fyfe/Derek Barg)
05 Jun 2024 Session 1 5:00-7:00pm - Roseville Public School Junior Band (Gerald Steinmann)
04 Jun 2024 Session 2 7:10-8:50pm - Sacred Heart Catholic School Mona Vale Senior Band (Monique Reeves)
29 May 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:40pm - Seaforth Public School Performance Band (Lemin Luu)
27 May 2024 Session 2 7:10-8:50pm - Seaforth Public School Training Band (Lemin Luu)
27 May 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:40pm - St Ives North Public School Junior Concert Band (Robert Jardine)
31 May 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:55pm - St Ives North Public School Senior Concert Band (Dr Luis Madrid)
02 Jun 2024 Session 1 9:00-10:40am - St Joseph's Narrabeen Concert Band (Monique Reeves)
29 May 2024 Session 2 7:10-8:50pm - St Joseph's Narrabeen Junior band (Raylie-Anne Baldock)
01 Jun 2024 Session 3 second venue 1:40-3:20pm - St Luke's Grammar School Year 4 Training Band Dee Why Campus and Bayview Campus (Lyndal Perry)
30 May 2024 Session 1 5:00-6:55pm - Wakehurst Public School Concert band (Raylie-Anne Baldock)
02 Jun 2024 Session 3 1:40-3:20pm - Wakehurst Public School Training band (Raylie-Anne Baldock)
02 Jun 2024 Session 4 4:00-5:40pm
Stage Bands
Community Ensembles
- Collaroy Jazz Collective (James Power)
16 Jun 2024 Session 5 5:00-6:20pm - Northern Beaches Big Band (Joshua Hughes)
16 Jun 2024 Session 4 3:00-4:20pm
High School Ensembles
- Barrenjoey High School Stage Band (Fiona Gudmunson)
16 Jun 2024 Session 2 11:00am-12:20pm - Cammeraygal High School Stage Band (Ann Boyle)
16 Jun 2024 Session 6 7:00-8:20pm - Killara High School Stage Band 2 (Winston Weng)
16 Jun 2024 Session 1 9:00-10:20am - Killarney Heights High School Jazz Orchestra (John Pennings)
16 Jun 2024 Session 5 5:00-6:20pm - Northern Beaches Christian School Jazz Band (Joshua Hughes)
16 Jun 2024 Session 5 5:00-6:20pm - Northern Beaches Secondary College Cromer Campus Stage Band (Marc Rolet)
16 Jun 2024 Session 3 1:00-2:20pm - Northern Beaches Secondary College Mackellar Girls Campus Stage Band (Vanessa Patterson)
16 Jun 2024 Session 5 5:00-6:20pm - Pittwater High School Big Band (John Pennings)
16 Jun 2024 Session 6 7:00-8:20pm - St Ives High School Jazz Combo (Sally Cooper)
16 Jun 2024 Session 3 1:00-2:20pm - The Forest High School Stage Band (Joe Manton)
16 Jun 2024 Session 6 7:00-8:20pm - The Pittwater House Schools Big Band (John Pennings)
16 Jun 2024 Session 2 11:00am-12:20pm - The Pittwater House Schools Stage Band (Nick Barnard)
16 Jun 2024 Session 1 9:00-10:20am
Primary School Ensembles
- Allambie Heights Public School Jazz band (Surrey Hodges)
16 Jun 2024 Session 6 7:00-8:20pm - Collaroy Plateau Public School Jazz Band (James Power)
16 Jun 2024 Session 4 3:00-4:20pm - Forestville Public School Forestville Jazz Combo (Derek Barg)
16 Jun 2024 Session 2 11:00am-12:20pm - Harbord Public School Jazz Band (Mark Strykowski)
16 Jun 2024 Session 1 9:00-10:20am - Killarney Heights Public School Jazz Combo (Derek Barg)
16 Jun 2024 Session 1 9:00-10:20am - Mona Vale Public School Jazz Band (Joshua Hughes)
16 Jun 2024 Session 4 3:00-4:20pm - Narrabeen Lakes Public School Jazz Band (Lachlan Power)
16 Jun 2024 Session 3 1:00-2:20pm
Festival Information for Participating Ensemble Directors
Ensemble members MUST arrive at least 20 minutes prior to the start of the session they are performing in. Please let them know that parking can be difficult so to allow time. Arrange to meet outside the hall at Pittwater High School. You will be directed to storage for instrument cases. There are short breaks between sessions to facilitate movement in and out of the hall. Musicians will be required to sit with their ensemble for the entire session (approx 80 minutes in most cases).
There will be a short allocated time period for each ensemble to tune in the holding room. Please keep the scheduled time as other ensembles will need to tune after yours. A quick warm up on stage is permissible. Please make sure all electronic instruments are in tune prior to getting on to the stage.
Ensembles will move from hall seating straight on to the stage to perform, do a short workshop and then return to their seats until released at the end of the session. It is expected that performers will NOT leave the hall so that all ensembles have a full and interested audience. We have made the sessions fairly short for this reason. Please stress this to parents, as they are inclined to try to remove their child as soon as they have performed.
Non performing audience members can purchase tickets at the door for $10 per adult, $5.00 concession or $20.00 per family. These tickets are valid for the entire festival and entitle the holder to entry to the Gala Concert. A portion of the ticket sales will be going to the support of the Northern Beaches Performance Venue Public Fund.
Please supply a labelled photocopy of your scores for use by the appraiser prior to the start of your session. These should be given to the appraiser's desk on arrival. This will be returned to you with notes/recording. In addition each ensemble will receive a plaque in recognition of their participation.
Encourage your ensemble members to recognise, respect and appreciate the efforts made by the other ensembles. We have deliberately timetabled the sessions so that a variety of levels of ensembles perform in each session.
Please be mindful of the time limitations and be as efficient as possible in organising your ensemble on and off stage. Members of the NBSWE, NBO, NBSYB and NBCB will be acting as ushers and stage hands to assist you with this.
Light refreshments will be available throughout the festival at the canteen.
Finally... don't get too stressed and feel free to ask for help from our experienced musical crew. This festival is about celebrating music on the Northern Beaches and is meant to be a fun and positive experience for all involved!
Sponsors
The Northern Beaches Instrumental Festival is co-hosted by the Northern Beaches Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Northern Beaches Orchestra, the Northern Beaches Symphonic Youth Band and the Northern Beaches Concert Band. It has been kindly supported by Mona Vale Music (www.monavalemusic.com), who provide recording facilities and post production for a reference copy of each ensemble's performance, along with the appraiser's comments. The Festival is also sponsored by Pittwater High School (pittwater-h.schools.nsw.gov.au), Northern Beaches Secondary College Cromer Campus (nbsccromer-h.schools.nsw.gov.au) and Harbord Public School (harbord-p.schools.nsw.gov.au), who kindly allow use of their facilities and equipment.
History
The Northern Beaches Instrumental Festival was first held in June 2012 as an afternoon event. It was so popular that in August of the same year, a two day Festival was held to allow other bands to take part. In 2013, the Festival added a whole day of Strings and Orchestras, under the guidance of the Northern Beaches Orchestra. The Festival continued to grow, and in 2014 was held over four days. In 2015, we celebrated the addition of Stage Bands to the Festival. Now in its thirteenth year, the Festival has become one of the main performance focuses for Concert Bands, Stage Bands and String Ensembles on the Northern Beaches.